West Virginia at Baylor NCAA Basketball Picks & Predictions 2/23/2019

Saturday, February 23, 2019

Ferrell Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Ferrell Center to play the Baylor Bears on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Baylor as 12.5 point favorites.

West Virginia comes into this game with an overall record of 10-16. They currently have a point differential of -4.4 as they are averaging 70.6 points per game while giving up 75.0 per contest. Baylor has an overall record of 17-9. They are averaging 71.8 points per game and surrendering 65.3, good for a point differential of 6.5.

Valuable West Virginia Mountaineers Betting Trends

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 9-17-0 against the spread

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 13-13-0 against the over/under

Important Baylor Bears Betting Trends

The Baylor Bears are 15-10-1 against the spread

The Baylor Bears are 11-14-1 against the over/under

Key West Virginia Mountaineers Injuries

12/22/18 F Sagaba Konate Knee is out indefinitely
02/22/19 G James Bolden Ankle is downgraded to out Saturday vs Baylor
02/11/19 F Esa Ahmad Disciplinary is out for season
02/11/19 F Wesley Harris Disciplinary is out for season

Key Baylor Bears Injuries

02/22/19 G King McClure Knee is questionable Saturday vs West Virginia
02/18/19 G Jake Lindsey Hip is out for season
01/12/19 F Tristan Clark Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Derek Culver comes into this contest averaging 11.5 points per game while playing 25.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.2 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.6 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 57%. Lamont West averages 10.1 points per game in 22.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 0.7 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 40% for the year while his free throw percentage is 77%.

Player Spotlight

Makai Mason averages 15.5 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.4 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. King McClure averages 9.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.4 rebounds per contest and 2.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 69%.

Useful Team Statistics

West Virginia averages 70.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 240th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is -4.4 and their shooting percentage is 41% as a team, which has them ranked 319th. Behind the arc they shoot 31% which is good for 331st in the nation. They average 38.9 rebounds per game and 12.7 assists per game, which ranks them 34th and 242nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 16th with 16.2 per game. The Mountaineers allow 75.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 264th in the country. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 228th and 251st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.6 rebounds a game which ranks 162nd and they give up 13.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 202nd place in Division 1. They force 13.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 192nd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Baylor is 205th in the country with 71.8 points per game this year. They are 169th in Division 1 in shooting at 45%, while their average scoring margin is 6.5. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 205th in the nation. They are 60th in the NCAA in rebounding with 37.8 boards per game, and 123rd in assists per contest with 14.1. The Bears are 153rd in turnovers per game with 13.3. The Bears surrender 65.3 points per contest, which ranks them 39th in D-1. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 63rd and 136th in those defensive statistics. They rank 126th with 12.5 assists allowed per contest and 24th with 31.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bears are 147th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.0 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Mountaineers are 286th in the nation in offensive rating with 99.1. In terms of pace they are 105th in the country with 70.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 47% is 324th. As a team they are 311th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 146th in Division 1. West Virginia is 36th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.9 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Baylor is 137th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.7 times per 100 possessions. The Bears are 86th in the country in offensive rating with 107.9. In terms of pace they are 315th in Division 1 with 66.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 155th. As a team they are 192nd in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 129th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's West Virginia/Baylor college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Baylor -12.5

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